Ely Sussman

Marlins Podcast Episodes Friday’s AFL/winter ball notes: The Peoria Javelinas remained undefeated (4-0-1) despite a mediocre debut from RHP Gabe Bierman (2.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 76 pitches/44 strikes). RHP Zach McCambley recorded four outs in relief of him. IF Nasim Nunez went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and C Paul McIntosh went 1-for-4.The internet's only Marlins fall/winter ball tracker lives here! We're monitoring 11 names so far and expecting several others to be active in international leagues as the offseason progresses.https://fishonfirst.com/news/marlins-fall-winter-ball-tracker-2023/Sandy's Beach will be closed in 2024. A month after being placed on the injured list with a UCL sprain and two weeks after feeling discomfort during a minor league rehab start, Sandy Alcantara underwent Tommy John surgery. The procedure was done by Dr. Keith Meister. who is second only to James Andrews in total TJ surgeries completed on baseball players. In his statement, Alcantara singled out Jesús (Luzardo), Eury (Pérez), Edward (Cabrera), (Braxton) Garrett and Trevor (Rogers) as teammates he's confident will "hold down the fort" in the Marlins rotation during his recovery. Two years ago, Alcantara signed what seemed like a very team-friendly contract extension (five years, $56 million with a club option), but it must be a relief to he and his loved ones to know they are financially secure regardless of how he performs post-surgery.Nice to see Alcantara gassing up his teammates, but the Marlins will inevitably have to acquire veteran starting pitching help from outside the organization if they are to be taken seriously as a postseason contender. Only Luzardo, Pérez and Garrett should be considered rotation locks.MLB Trade Rumors projects 2024 salaries for all 13 arbitration-eligible Marlins players. Luis Arraez ($10.8M), Jesús Luzardo ($5.9M) and Tanner Scott ($5.8M) account for the majority of the total cost. Jacob Stallings ($3.6M) is in danger of being non-tendered, especially in light of the Alcantara news (Stallings caught all of his starts over the last two seasons).Luis Arraez has been nominated for the 2023 Hank Aaron Award, recognizing each league's best overall offensive performer. Vote for him through October 13.Elsewhere around the majors, Billy Eppler resigned as Mets general manager amid an MLB investigation into the team's improper use of the injured list. David Stearns recently supplanted Eppler as the Mets' lead baseball operations decision-maker. All four of the Division Series matchups get underway today.We are collecting your trivia questions about the 2023 season for a new Marlins Jeopardy edition of Fish On First LIVE. With chiropractic care and functional health, La Pop takes a preventative approach that optimizes wellness and quality of life for all ages. Find out more here!https://fishonfirst.com/marlins-jeopardy/https://fishonfirst.com/la-pop/Noah Berger went around the Marlins clubhouse asking players for their favorite moments from the 2023 season.https://fishonfirst.com/at-the-ballpark/2023-favorite-marlins-moments-player-quotes/As Glenn Geffner mentions on View from the Bleachers, Ryan Weathers and Max Meyer are notable wild cards on the 2024 rotation depth chart. "The acquisition of impact starting pitching must be high on the Marlins’ list of off-season priorities," he writes.On this day 20 years ago, Mike Lowell's extra-inning, pinch-hit home run gave the Marlins a 1-0 NLCS lead.Within Jon Greenberg's oral history of the 2003 Cubs, there is of course a section about NLCS Game 6 and Steve Bartman. "There was like zero effect in our dugout," Todd Hollandsworth says. "We didn’t have replay the way that we have it today where you’d be watching that replay in your dugout." The former Cubs interviewed for the piece agree that the series-altering Marlins rally wasn't Bartman's fault.Happy 26th birthday to Jesús Sánchez. Despite opening the regular season in a bench role, Sánchez went on to establish new career highs in games played (125), batting average (.253), on-base percentage (.327) and fWAR (1.3) as Miami's primary right fielder.Photo by Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins

Wednesday's Gameshttps://fishonfirst.com/game-coverage/marlins-phillies-nlwcs-10-4-23/https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-10/04/675e54fd-c6bf97c5-19a2c34c-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4Marlins Podcast Episodes Wednesday's AFL/winter ball notes: RHP Ike Buxton picked up the win in his fall league debut (4.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1 HR, 76 pitches/43 strikes) and 3B Jacob Berry went 3-for-4 with a double and a walk. IF Nasim Nuñez also started for Peoria (at second base) and LHP Dale Stanavich recorded five outs in relief. It's over for the 2023 Marlins, as Noah Berger bluntly put it. They were outscored 11-2 by the Phillies during the NL Wild Card Series, with Wednesday's lone run coming in the lowest-leverage situation possible. Aaron Nola was very good, but not that good—his success was largely a reflection of the Marlins' offensive deficiencies. Jon Berti was the only Marlin to reach base safely multiple times and he squandered one of those opportunities by getting picked off. The dagger was a Bryson Stott grand slam off of Andrew Nardi, who had held lefty batters to a .158./.247/.303 this season.This team won't look the same in 2024. Potential free agents include general manager Kim Ng (though it'd be baffling if the Marlins failed to reach a new deal with her), David Robertson, Yuli Gurriel, Joey Wendle, Johnny Cueto ($10.5M club option), Matt Barnes ($8M club option), Josh Bell ($16.5M player option) and Jorge Soler ($13M player option). Also, in my opinion, Avisaíl García is an obvious candidate to be released despite two years remaining on his underwater contract. "A short stay in October shouldn’t detract from what the Marlins improbably achieved this season or from the hope that better days lie ahead," writes Glenn Geffner. Bally Sports Florida announcer Paul Severino described the season as "a step forward or two."The September 28 Marlins vs. Mets game that was suspended due to the rain (and ultimately proved to be inconsequential) has been ruled a 1-0 Marlins loss. The runs scored in the top of the ninth that put the Marlins ahead 2-1 could not be counted because the Mets didn't have the chance to respond. Let the record show that the Marlins had a 84-78 record in 2023, the fifth-best single-season performance in franchise history. Elsewhere around the majors, every other Wild Card Series matchup also ended in a sweep. It's only natural to see the Diamondbacks upset the Brewers and wonder if the Marlins could've done the same had they been the National League's sixth seed instead of the fifth seed. Even before the series result, the D-backs extended GM Mike Hazen through the 2028 season.The full list of 2023 Marlins Minor League All-Stars is out with the news that IF Xavier Edwards and RHP Anthony Maldonado both earned selections in the Triple-A International League.The Fish On First staff now pivots to season review content. From now through mid-November, we will be analyzing all of the key players and themes of the just-completed campaign.If you valued FOF's Marlins coverage during this thrilling season, please consider becoming a Super Subscriber! We reward your support with year-round perks. You could also make a one-time donation below.Make a one-time donationYour contribution is appreciated. DonateMake a monthly donationYour contribution is appreciated. Donate monthlyMake a yearly donationYour contribution is appreciated. Donate yearlyPhoto courtesy of Miami Marlins

A loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series brought the 2023 Miami Marlins season to an abrupt end. Ely Sussman, Kevin Barral, Alex Carver, Alex Krutchik and Louis Addeo-Weiss discuss the key moments and decisions that made the difference in Game 2 and what to watch for during the rest of this MLB postseason and the ensuing winter. Subscribe to the Fish On First YouTube channel to watch video versions of every episode of The Offishial Show. The biggest questions facing the Fish during the 2023-24 offseason include the status of Kim Ng as general manager, the possible departures of Jorge Soler and Josh Bell via free agency (both can opt out of their contracts) and whether or not Sandy Alcantara requires Tommy John surgery on his injured UCL. Merely "running it back" with the same faces isn't an option for the Marlins if they have aspirations of returning to the postseason. It's frankly miraculous that they made it this far despite scoring the fewest runs in the National League. Even if high-leverage relief, clutch hitting and tactical decision-making prove to be strengths of the team again, it's unrealistic for them to replicate their extraordinary 2023 success in close games. The shortstop and catcher positions in particular are glaring weaknesses, and free agency and the trade market are both thin on satisfying solutions. Assuming that Ng remains in place, she'll once again need to get creative. Follow Ely (@RealEly), Kevin (@kevin_barral), Alex C. (@marlinsminors), Alex K. (@AlexKrutchikFOF), Louis (@addeo_louis00) and Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) on Twitter. Complete Miami Marlins coverage here at FishOnFirst.com. Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images Our Fish On First podcast programming includes The Offishial Show, Fish Unfiltered, State of the Fish, Swimming Upstream, Fishology and What a Relief. All new episodes are posted to FishOnFirst.com/podcasts. You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Podbean, Megaphone or wherever you normally get your pods from.

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Tuesday's Gameshttps://fishonfirst.com/game-coverage/wheeler-stymies-miamis-bats-phils-take-game-1/https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-10/03/85cf3de2-67b18364-7798c507-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4Marlins Podcast Episodes Tuesday's AFL/winter ball notes: Making their Arizona Fall League debuts, SS Nasim Nuñez went 0-for-2 with two walks a stolen base, while C Paul McIntosh went 1-for-4 with a walk and caught a shutout.Inefficient start for Jesús Luzardo in Game 1 (4.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 90 pitches/54 strikes). Although he didn't issue any walks or hit-by-pitches, control was an issue—too many non-competitive balls in the dirt. In relief of Luzardo, A.J. Puk, George Soriano, Huascar Brazoban and Steven Okert each made their postseason debuts, going one inning apiece.The bigger issue for the Marlins was their lack of production against Zack Wheeler. No runners in scoring position until the seventh inning! The only run they pushed across was manufactured with the help of two infield singles.Josh Bell was a bright spot in the loss. All four of his plate appearances ended in batted balls with exit velocities north of 100 miles per hour.Elsewhere around the majors, Pablo López (5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K) came up huge for the Twins to snap their 18-game postseason losing streak. The Rays committed four errors and drew fewer than 20,000 fans in a shutout loss to the Rangers. Six Diamondbacks relievers combined for 6 ⅓ scoreless innings in a comeback win over the favored Brewers.The latest previewed the NL Wild Card Series, including what to expect from Aaron Nola tonight. With chiropractic care and functional health, La Pop takes a preventative approach that optimizes wellness and quality of life for all ages. Find out more here! https://fishonfirst.com/la-pop/The Marlins, Rays, Blue Jays and Brewers face elimination today. Every member of the Marlins bullpen should be available if needed. Tanner Scott, Andrew Nardi and David Robertson have each had three days' rest since their last appearances. FanGraphs gives them a 47.0% chance to win Game 2.In case you missed it, here are the rosters being used by the Marlins and Phillies in this series. Per our own Isaac Azout, Bryan Hoeing is expected to be added to the roster if Miami advances to the NLDS.ESPN's Xuan Thai reports on Kim Ng's journey to becoming a general manager with insight from many of the people who've worked for her along the way.On this day 20 years ago, Jeff Conine and Pudge Rodriguez connected on a dramatic play at home plate to record the final out of the NLDS. Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

A loss to the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series sets up a must-win Game 2 for the Miami Marlins. Ely Sussman, Kevin Barral, Alex Carver and Isaac Azout discuss the key moments and decisions that made the difference in Game 1 and what needs to change on Wednesday for the Fish to keep their season alive. Subscribe to the Fish On First YouTube channel to watch video versions of every episode of The Offishial Show. Probable starting pitchers for Game 2 are Braxton Garrett and Aaron Nola. Skip Schumaker refrained from using his most trusted relievers in Game 1, so Tanner Scott, Andrew Nardi and David Robertson should be relied upon heavily once Garrett exits. The Marlins have never lost a first-round postseason series before, advancing to the NLDS in 2020 and winning championships in both 1997 and 2003. Follow Ely (@RealEly), Kevin (@kevin_barral), Alex (@marlinsminors), Isaac (@IsaacAzout) and Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) on Twitter. Complete Miami Marlins coverage here at FishOnFirst.com. Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images Our Fish On First podcast programming includes The Offishial Show, Fish Unfiltered, State of the Fish, Swimming Upstream, Fishology and What a Relief. All new episodes are posted to FishOnFirst.com/podcasts. You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Podbean, Megaphone or wherever you normally get your pods from.

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In advance of Tuesday's Game 1, the Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies have settled on the 26 players who'll represent them in the 2023 NL Wild Card Series. Barring injuries, these are the rosters tasked with getting them to the next round. Marlins RosterPitchers (12): RHP Huascar Brazoban, RHP Edward Cabrera, RHP JT Chargois, LHP Braxton Garrett (Game 2 SP), LHP Jesús Luzardo (Game 1 SP), LHP Andrew Nardi, LHP Steven Okert, LHP A.J. Puk, RHP David Robertson, LHP Tanner Scott, RHP George Soriano and LHP Ryan Weathers Catchers (2): Nick Fortes and Jacob Stallings Infielders (8): Luis Arraez, Josh Bell, Jon Berti, Jake Burger, Xavier Edwards, Yuli Gurriel, Garrett Hampson and Joey Wendle Outfielders (4): Jazz Chisholm Jr., Bryan De La Cruz, Jesús Sánchez and Jorge Soler (DH) The only difference between the final roster and what we projected is the inclusion of Weathers over Johnny Cueto. Weathers just threw 99 pitches in Sunday's series finale, ruling him out for at least Game 1 if not Game 2 as well, while Cueto is fully rested and brings ample postseason experience. After showing flashes of his former self in July upon returning from the injured list, Cueto quietly sucked for the final two months, most notably allowing 13 home runs in 36 ⅓ innings. He also had a nightmare inning against this Phillies lineup on September 9, sweating his way through 50 pitches. Perhaps that memory was fresh in the mind of Marlins decision-makers. Weathers is the youngest player on Miami's roster for this series (turns 24 in December). There was never a doubt that Arraez (left ankle sprain) would make the roster. The question is how close is he to full strength and will he be able to play a full nine innings in the field. I want to highlight Bell because of his fascinating history against Philly's probable starting pitchers. He's got incredible numbers off of Wheeler (.323/.364/.645 in 33 PA) and incredibly bad ones off of Nola (.160/.192/.320 in 26 PA). Phillies RosterPitchers (12): LHP José Alvarado, RHP Seranthony Domínguez, RHP Jeff Hoffman, RHP Orion Kerkering, RHP Craig Kimbrel, RHP Aaron Nola (Game 2 SP), LHP Cristopher Sánchez, LHP Gregory Soto, LHP Matt Strahm, LHP Ranger Suárez, RHP Taijuan Walker and RHP Zack Wheeler (Game 1 SP) Catchers (2): J.T. Realmuto and Garrett Stubbs Infielders (6): Alec Bohm, Bryce Harper, Edmundo Sosa, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner and Weston Wilson Outfielders (6): Nick Castellanos, Jake Cave, Brandon Marsh, Cristian Pache, Johan Rojas and Kyle Schwarber (DH) The most notable omission is right-hander Michael Lorenzen, the All-Star trade deadline pick-up. He shoved against the Marlins in his Phillies debut, then tossed a no-hitter in his next start. After that, however, Lorenzen posted an 8.01 earned run average (30.1 IP) and ultimately shifted to a relief role. Every player here has some head-to-head history playing against the Marlins with the exception of rookies Kerkering and Wilson. Kerkering is a 2022 draft pick who ascended through the Phillies organization rapidly, leaning heavily on a nasty sweeper. It has accounted for 85% of his total pitches since debuting last month. Wilson had a 31 HR/32 SB season in Triple-A (116 wRC+). Photo courtesy of Miami Marlins

Monday's Coveragehttps://fishonfirst.com/analysis/2023-wild-card-series-preview/ Marlins Podcast Episodes Monday's AFL/winter ball updates: IF Jacob Berry started at third base and went 0-for-5 in what was his first game action since August 29. RHP Zach McCambley (2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) couldn't hold Peoria's lead in the bottom of the 10th inning, so the game ended in a tie.Luis Arraez is expected to be in tonight's Game 1 Marlins lineup, per Skip Schumaker. Arraez hasn't played a complete game since September 18 due to a left ankle sprain.Elsewhere around the majors, the Angels are parting ways with manager Phil Nevin. Aaron Boone is reportedly being retained as Yankees manager. Brandon Woodruff (Brewers) suffered a shoulder injury that could keep him out throughout the postseason.We’ve got a new episode of Fish On First LIVE streaming tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET on /Twitch/Twitter. Special guests: Alex Carr and Sean Millerick. Super Subscribers, submit your series predictions before first pitch. With chiropractic care and functional health, La Pop takes a preventative approach that optimizes wellness and quality of life for all ages. Find out more here! https://fishonfirst.com/la-pop/The Marlins have a 43.5% chance to win Game 1, per FanGraphs, and a 40.4% chance to win the series overall. All four Wild Card Series matchups get underway today. Good luck to old friend Pablo López in Minnesota! Free tickets are available (you can claim two per account) to tonight's watch party at LoanDepot Park. Tickets also went on sale for the Marlins' potential NLDS home games, which would be October 11 and October 12 (if necessary) against the Braves. The get-in price, including all fees, is $48.Speaking of get-in prices, TickPick says it'll cost you $199 on the secondary market to get inside Citizens Bank Park tonight. Assuming you're not there in person, be sure to follow Isaac Azout and Noah Berger throughout the series.Daniel Rodriguez highlights four unsung heroes who were crucial for the Marlins during the regular season.https://fishonfirst.com/analysis/2023-marlins-unsung-heroes/Alex Krutchik is convinced that Billy the Marlin would triumph over the Phillie Phanatic in a fight.https://fishonfirst.com/analysis/phillie-phanatic-billy-the-marlin-mascot-royal-rumble/John Turlington's new revisits the final two wins that pushed the Marlins into the postseason.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBW71s7dT_gJordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reviews how the Marlins constructed a playoff-caliber roster under Kim Ng.Enjoy more Wild Card Series previews from Michael Baumann of FanGraphs, The Athletic and Ryan Schlesinger. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com gives the Phillies the advantage at every position except for second base, left field and center field.2B Xavier Edwards and 1B Troy Johnston were named to MLB Pipeline's Prospect Team of the Year second team.On this day 20 years ago, the Marlins took a 2-1 lead over the Giants in the NLDS thanks to Pudge Rodriguez's 11th-inning walk-off single.https://twitter.com/FishOnFirst/status/1709170995473289412?s=20Photo by courtesy of Miami Marlins

For only the fourth time in franchise history, the Marlins are playing postseason baseball! It's been three years since they previously made it and twenty since their last full-season berth. Celebrate the rare occasion by treating yourself and other Marlins fans in your life to new merch from BreakingT. Every purchase made through the links below earns a commission for the Fish On First staff, helping to power our round-the-clock, on-site coverage throughout the playoffs. Party Like It's 2003 (t-shirts and hoodies)Get Wild Miami (t-shirts and hoodies)And even though this design is three years old, it was a best-seller at the time, inspired by the Philadelphia Phillies, who happen to be Miami's NL Wild Card Series opponent... Bottom Feeders (t-shirts and hoodies)Through the years (previously as Fish Stripes and now as FOF), we have collaborated with BreakingT on dozens of Marlins-themed products. Shop the full collection here.